Removable car seat cover

ABSTRACT

An automotive vehicle seat cover ( 10 ) includes two forms ( 12,14 ) interconnected with a flexible member ( 16 ) which is water and moisture impermeable as well as non-tearable. Optionally, the forms are bent so as to provide concave surfaces facing the underlying seat ( 34 ) and backrest ( 36 ) for stability and slippage retardation. A still further option, are the provision of tabs ( 40,42 ) for receipt within a space between the seat and backrest fixedly positioning the seat cover ( 10 ) in place.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a seat cover, and,more particularly, to a seat cover for an automotive vehicle that isimpermeable to moisture passing therethrough and damaging the underlyingseat, which cover is readily foldable into a compact package forcarrying or storage.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] A number of different approaches have been utilized in the pastto prevent or reduce the soiling of seating in an automotive vehicle,all of which are accompanied by one or more disadvantages even if theyare capable of accomplishing the basic seating protection function. Oneapproach is to make the seating itself of a material that is resistantto soiling and can be readily cleaned which in a sense adopts thephilosophy of assuming the seating will become soiled and facilitatingthe cleaning operation. Of course, cleaning wears out the item cleanedto a certain extent, therefore, the more cleaning the sooner repair andreplacement is required. In both housing seating furniture and seatingfor automotive vehicles, a customary protective technique is to affix“slipcovers” or “seat covers” onto the underlying seating which areintended to remain in covering relation throughout the life of theslipcovers, and which are themselves both expensive and requirecleaning. Another approach is to treat seating with certain chemicalmaterials (e.g., so-called Scotchguarding) that provides an outersurface that can be wiped clean rather easily and the underlying seatingis preserved at the same time. Still further, there are informal ways ofprotecting seating by such means as throwing a blanket or the like overthe seating which, of course, shifts around during use and forms lumpsthat may be unpleasant to sit upon, and, of course, will itself in timerequire cleaning.

[0005] The soiling of seating problem is exacerbated by individuals whohave been exercising or engaging in sport and then seat themselveswithout taking any precautions to protect the seating. In such cases,perspiration transferred to the seating may be considerable and can bothphysically damage the seating as well as provide it with an unpleasantodor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A primary object and aim of the present invention is theprovision of an improved removable car seat covering means that islight-weight and prevents fluids passing through to the underlying seat.

[0007] Another object as in the previous object is the provision of acar seat covering which is relatively rigid in use and easily foldableinto a conveniently small package for storage.

[0008] Yet another object as in the previous objects is the provision ofa seat cover restingly located on an underlying seat and backrest withmeans for deterring shifting of the seat cover relative to the seat whenthe weight of an individual is applied to the seat cover.

[0009] Another object is the provision in the car seat covering means oftabs for positively locating the seat covering means with respect to theunderlying seat and backrest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] These and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily apparent upon reading the following detailed description andupon reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown mounted inplace on underlying seating;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side elevational sectional view taken along line 2-2of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an alternative version ofseat cover means shown in unstressed condition;

[0014]FIGS. 4A and 4B depict perspective and side elevational views ofyet another version of the invention with mounting tabs for positivelylocating the seat covering means on the underlying seat and backrest;and

[0015]FIGS. 5A and B are sectional views taken through edge portions ofthe forms and flexible covering showing manner of joining.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Turning now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there isshown a first embodiment of a seat cover 10 in accordance with thepresent invention. In its major parts, the seat cover 10 includes firstand second substantially identical flexible and springlike forms 12 and14 of generally circular shape secured to a flexible sheet member 16,which forms are preferably constructed of metal wire bent shape andend-connected by a clamp 17. More particularly, the member 16 ispreferably constructed of a material having good moisture impermeabilitycharacteristics as well as being relatively non-tearable as will bediscussed later.

[0017] Turning now to FIG. 5A, which is a sectional view through a wireform in the region at an outer edge of a seat cover 10. The flexiblemember material is fitted within the wire form and continuouslycontacting the inner edge of the wire form. An elongated rectangularwoven or braided textile strip 18 is folded lengthwise about theenclosed form and member 16. Finally, the strip has its facing edgesconnected together by sealing and securing means 20 (e.g., continuousline of stitching) that holds the opposed strip edges and member 16clamped therebetween in a tightly secure manner. This manner of edgesecurement extends across the opposite outside ends 22, 24 and down thelateral edges 26, 28 to where the respective forms extend laterally andface one another across an extent 30 of the flexible sheet member 16that is free from the forms and readily bendable along any angular axis.

[0018] The strip 18 that has enclosed the outer edge portion of one ofthe wire forms as just described extends about the edge of the member 16with sealing and securing means 20 in the extent 30 and beyond toenclose the remaining wire form in the same manner as shown in FIG. 5A.As the forms extend transversely across seat cover spaced from oneanother by the member extent 30 they are enclosed within the member 16as shown in FIG. 5B. More particularly, the form is pressed against theflexible member 16 so that the flexible material forms a pocket withinwhich the form rests. Then, a length of strip 18 sandwiches the material16 about the wire form and the form is secured therewithin by acontinuous line of sealing and securing means 20.

[0019] The overall dimensions of the seat and adjacent backrest 10 aresuch as those typically allotted for one person such as driver, forexample.

[0020] As can be seen best in FIG. 2 and indicated by the curved arrow,the seat cover 10 can be folded onto itself along a fold line 32extending between and generally parallel to two seat cover portionsdefined by the two forms forming a smaller overall package for seatcover storage when not in use.

[0021] In use, cover 10 is opened up and laid onto the underlying seat34 and backrest 36 with the extent 30 free from forms being positionedin the so-called biteline of the seat. An individual can now sit on thecover and be assured that the underlying seat and backrest will not besoiled. At the conclusion of use, the cover can be readily lifted offthe the underlying seat 34 and backrest 36, folded up and stored away ina convenient place. The described invention can be especiallyadvantageously employed by an individual who has just engaged inconsiderable exercise and desires to protect the underlying seat andbackrest from perspiration damage and soiling.

[0022] With reference now to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of seat cover38 is shown which differs from the first embodiment primarily in thatthe forwardmost side of the form that is typically located under theknees of someone sitting on the seat cover is bent upwardly into acontinuous curved configuration when in the unstressed condition with aspace D existing between the central lower surface of the seat cover 38and the underlying vehicle seat 34. When someone sits on the cover, thiswill tend to flatten the seat out somewhat effecting a gripping actionof the underlying vehicle seat to deter relative slippage movement thatcould require corrective repositioning of the cover 38.

[0023] For yet a third embodiment, reference is made to FIGS. 4A and 4B.This embodiment can be applied to either of the first two embodimentsalready described, and is especially advantageous for use where theunderlying seat and backrest are separated by a slight gap. First andsecond flat and relatively rigid tabs 40 and 42, which can be ofidentical dimensions and geometry, and preferably with rounded edges 44to prevent hangup as will made clear, are secured to what is the backouter surface of the flexible sheet member extent 30, one adjacent eachopposite side of the cover 10 (or 38). As shown, the tabs in use areinserted between the backrest and underlying seat and serve to hold thedescribed seat cover in place during use.

[0024] Turning now to FIG. 5B, the manner of securing the flexiblematerial 16 and braid 18 about a form 12 or 14 immediately adjacent thecentral extent 30 is shown. More particularly, the flexible material 16is wrapped completely about the enclosed form and the braid 18 issandwiched about the material 16 and form 12,14 and secured by, say, aline of stitching 46. This enclosing method by the braid extendssubstantially across the full width of the extent 30 for each of theforms 12,14. The outer peripheral edge of the described seat cover isenclosed by the braid as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0025] Although the invention has been described in connection withpreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that those skilled in theappertaining arts may make changes coming within the spirit of theinvention as described within the ambit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automotive vehicle seat cover adapted forbeing sat upon, comprising: first and second forms, each constructed ofa length of flexible springlike material in the shape of a rod foldedonto itself in a closed path of a first area; a flexible sheet memberconstructed of a liquid impermeable material having a second areaexceeding about twice the first area; first means for securing the outeredge portions of the sheet member to the first and second formsincluding a generally rectangular strip folded onto itself with twofacing sides received onto a form; and second means for securing thefirst means to the sheet member in enclosing relation about a form; thefirst and second forms being located on the sheet member in spaced apartrelation with a centrally located region of the sheet member being freeof the forms.
 2. A seat cover as in claim 1, in which each of the formsincludes a first side that extends transversely of a user and which arelocated respectively approximately under the knees of the user and asecond side located opposite the shoulder blades during use, said firstand second sides being convexly curved away from the seat and backrestwhen unstressed and substantially flat and uncurved when sat and leanedupon.
 3. A seat cover as in claim 1, in which spacer guide means areaffixed to the centrally located region of the sheet member facinggenerally toward the seat and backrest in use for removably positioningthe seat cover on the seat and retarding slippage.
 4. A seat cover as inclaim 3, in which the spacer guide means include first and second tabsthat are received in the biteline between the backrest and the seat. 5.A seat cover as in claim 1, in which each of the first and second formsis constructed of a length of spring wire bent into desired shape withthe opposite ends thereof brought close together, and a clamp is securedabout the end portions of the bent wire holding them unitarily together.